Kevlar/Carbon Fiber

[hmasing]

Hi, all -

I am about to start building my own accoustic drums, and wanted a unique finish. So, I am looking into covering the shells with carbon fiber and epoxy. Does anyone have any ideas about what this might do to the sound?

http://www.fibreglast.com/products.php?session=f3b412733a67ccf6b903697601b438d6&area=6

The cloth is the same stuff used in airplanes and kayaks and such. In particular, I am interested in "3K, 2X2 Twill Weave Graphite Fabric, #1069". You know, the deep grey weave that looks like it's about a mile thick?

Thanks!

- Hans

[hmasing]

More correctly -

I want to cover new maple shells with this material and a few coats of resin. Not make the drums from this material from scratch.

Thanks!

- Hans

[fartnokker]

Herbie Hancock...

Hans, have you considered "Rocket" carbon-fiber shells?

[Ranman]

Resonate?

I think your shells would look cool as ****!! But would they resonate? Are you planning to trigger them or play them strictly as accoustics?

You know, when you tap the side of a kayak it does resonate a bit ... but then, your average kayak doesn't have a maple core to it. I kinda have my doubts...

They would look cool, though!!!

[wlkjw]

Hate to put a damper on an "original" idea...

Pearl currently makes a maple/carbon fiber kit. But, their description of the set sounds great. They are extremely rare and expensive, so you might be able to obtain great results from a "home brew" kit. Besides how fun would it be to lay down $10K on a kit anyways....

Here are some links:

http://www.pearldrum.com/newcombo.asp

http://www.pearldrum.com/carbonply.html

Masterworks Carbon Fiber Maple Kit



Limited Edition Masterworks Carbon Fiber/Maple kit
**This Exclusive Masterworks Kit is Extremely Limited**
**Only 10 Kits Available in the U.S.**

Carbon Fiber + Maple = Warm Explosive Power. NEW for 2001 Pearl introduces the totally handmade Carbon Fiber / Maple wood Masterworks kit. The 6 ply shell is constructed of a single outer and inner ply of Carbon Fiber with 4 middle plys of Maple wood. The Carbon Fiber adds incredible projection and volume while providing unprecedented strength and structural integrity to the shell, adding the 4 middle plys of Maple, a balance of warmth and full bodied tone complete the extraordinary sound. The kits consist of an 18"x22" bass drum, 9"x10", 9"x12", 11"x14 toms, and 16"x16" floor tom. To compliment the kits, we are offering 5"x14", 5.5"x14", and 6.5"x14" matching snare drums to meet your individual playing style. All drums include Die-Cast hoops, OptiMount, machined Stainless Steel Tension Rods and are Finished in high gloss Carbon Fiber with Black chrome hardware. They come complete with a certificate of authenticity.

Limited Edition Masterworks Carbon Fiber Snare Drums
**This Exclusive Masterworks Kit is Extremely Limited**
**Only 10 Kits Available in the U.S.**


Three NEW Limited Edition Masterworks Carbon Fiber Maple snare drums are now featured for the 2001 Collectors Series. The 6 ply shell is constructed with an single outer and inner ply of Carbon Fiber with 4 middle plys of Maple creating warm full bodied tone, projection and sensitivity. The ASD-5014CM 5"x14", ASD-5514CM 5.5"x14" and
ASD-6514CM 6.5"x14" snare drum feature Die-Cast hoops, machined Stainless Steel Tension Rods, SR-015 strainer and S-030N 24 strand snare wires All are finished in high gloss Carbon Fiber with Black chrome hardware.

Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of these amazing kits. Be one of ten people in the U.S. to own it, a kit never to be equaled in looks or sound. Click on one of these exclusive links below to purchase Pearl's Carbonply Maple Masterworks Kit.

Kit List Price: $ 9,870.00 (5 piece kit without snare drum)

[puttenvr]

hmasing, would you wrap a violin?

Nope, then don't just cover an acoustic shell with carbon fiber and epoxy. It will muffle the free resonating drum shell.

[hmasing]

Originally posted by puttenvr
hmasing, would you wrap a violin?

Nope, then don't just cover an acoustic shell with carbon fiber and epoxy. It will muffle the free resonating drum shell.

You mean much the same way ANY covering on the drum will limit resonance? My current Pearls have a laminate layer on top of the wood, and they sound great.

What I was looking at was attaching a layer of the kevlar cloth that looks like this:

<img src="http://www.fibreglast.com/prod_images/1069L.jpg">

...and then puting just enough epoxy on it to seal it from damage. I would do this on top of a 6-ply maple shell.

This would be a minimal layer on top of the drum. Knowing that Pearl sells a kevlar kit helps me with this decision.

Thanks, all!

- Hans

[hmasing]

Originally posted by puttenvr
hmasing, would you wrap a violin?

Umm, it turns out that this is a viable method.

http://www.electricviolins.com/index.html

The bodies of these violins are made from kevlar.



(Yeah, yeah, I know)

- Hans

[Shep2112]

I think Tommy Aldridge switched racks/cages several times.. I remember seeing ads with him with Yamaha 'System' racks, and then the other 2 were Falicon systems (defunct) and I THINK he also used one by Greg Voelker, who was making Premier's rack systems and is featured in the Feb 1991 Modern Drummer with David Garibaldi on the cover..

I think the only one still in business out of these is Yamaha.. I searched for Falicon a couple weeks ago and only found some early 90's pics.. they had the ads with the triple bass kit, with the 'international federation of planets' or something on the bass drum logos..

I remember Tommy Aldridge had a reply to a reader asking how he got his snare sound on Slip of the Tongue (1989), and he said 'two words: Carbon Fiber!' and then went on a little bit about how Yamaha had these prototype drums he was trying out and they were loud and clean, etc.. I wonder how they would sound with Kevlar heads on them? A completely woven head and shell combo.. Just need some woven lugs now

[Shep2112]

Yeah it was a pretty wild design.. I always liked Voelker's racks, cause the ones I saw had no front or side supports for the upper level, there were completely held up from behind..

[Shep2112]

yeah, that could very well be.. If it's the pic with all of Yamaha's orchestral percussion and the PTX-8 pads on the rack with the red drum kit, I remember the pic very well.. if it's another, by all means, scan it!
There was another from behind the kit I remember, with a tom on the left, and 3 elec pads up in the air on the left.. Anything else, I'd love to see..

Anyone remember the Yamaha kit in the Steelheart "I'll never let you go" video?! That was sweet!

[Ranman]

Man, would I love a turn behind that kit!

[fartnokker]

Aqua Net and Spandex, Revisited

Originally posted by Shep2112
Anyone remember the Yamaha kit in the Steelheart "I'll never let you go" video?! That was sweet!

Ohmygawd, Steelheart! I don't remember the drum kit or video; just the singer with the Mariah Carey-esque dog-whistle voice!!!

The 80's were a helluva lotta fun...

[Shep2112]

I'm assuming he died from that? When was that? I never heard about that. What happened to the rest of the band? Did they become Pearl Jam perhaps? Just kidding, but seriously what happened?

[Shep2112]

Singer not dead at all

So I looked up Steelheart just now.. The singer didn't die, he formed a new incarnation of the band in 93, after their second album (92), and then went solo under the name Mikey Steel..

See below...

Steelheart
Formed 1981, U.S.A.

1990 Steelheart
1992 Tangled In Reins
1996 Wait

History
Melodic pop metal band with majestic vocals. Hit it big with their debut album and became MTV darlings before the grunge movement crushed any momentum they once had.
Formed in Norwalk, Conneticut by Mike Matijevic (vocals), Chris Risola (guitar), Frank DiCostanzo (guitar), and Rage Of Angels members James Ward (bass) and John Fowler (drums). Matijevic's multi-octave range was what set the band apart from most others in the late stages of the glam era.
The debut album went platinum behind MTV's heavy rotation of the power ballad I'll Never Let You Go. But the follow-up, which showed the band could really rock, didn't get the exposure it deserved and alienated fans who wanted the glossy production of the original album. After the tour the original band disbanded, leaving Matijevic with the Steelheart name.
In 1993 Matijevic began demoing new material and created a revamped Steelheart around Kenny Kanowaski (guitarist who had worked previously with Mark Slaughter and even sang backup on Slaughter's debut album), Vincent Mele Jr. (bass), Alex Makarovich (drums) and Derek Austin (drums). The album did huge business in Asia but never even got an American release, and the band was put on hold again.
Matijevic currently records and acts under the name of Mikey Steel. Risola is pursuing a solo career while Kanowaski and Mele continue to record as Chillin Sun.

Where was the dying info from?
-Eric